KASTAUFFER Posted March 14, 2016 Share #1 Posted March 14, 2016 On January 10–11 1934 a mass flight of six United States Navy Consolidated P2Y flying boats sets a new distance record for formation flying of 2,400 miles (3,900 km) between San Francisco, and Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii. They also set a new speed record for this crossing of 24 hours 35 minutes. While largely forgotten now at the time it was a BIG deal. It received as much attention in the press as many of the previous world record breaking events such as Lindberg's flight across the Atlantic. In October 1935 this same pilot set a new long distance record flying over 3000 miles from the Canal Zone to San Francisco. In both instances, Aircraft companies presented him with remembrances of his accomplishments, a cigarette case, and an engraved Hamilton pocket watch. In 1944 he lost his life in an aircraft accident taking off of the USS Lexington as a passenger of a TBF. For his service he was presented the Legion of Merit posthumously. Since he died in an accident, he was not eligible for a Purple Heart medal. A 1927 US Naval Academy graduate, he had a very colorful career. Who knows what the rest of his career would have held in store for him had he survived. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share #2 Posted March 14, 2016 His Medal Group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted March 14, 2016 His Legion of Merit was awarded in 1947. It would explain why he was awarded the slot brooch version of the US Navy Contract LOM. It is officially engraved and is a very rare example. Its the first posthumous USN LOM I have seen in 35 years of collecting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share #4 Posted March 14, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share #5 Posted March 14, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share #6 Posted March 14, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share #7 Posted March 14, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share #8 Posted March 14, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share #9 Posted March 14, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share #10 Posted March 14, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share #11 Posted March 14, 2016 THE 1934 and 1935 FLIGHTS This is a photo of all of the officers who were pilots on the mass flight from California to Hawaii in 1934. It is autographed by them all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share #12 Posted March 14, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share #13 Posted March 14, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share #14 Posted March 14, 2016 Newspaper articles from 1934 including one about the pilot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share #15 Posted March 14, 2016 The cigarette case presented to him by Wright Aeronautical Corporation for the Mass Flight from California to Hawaii. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share #16 Posted March 14, 2016 The watch presented by United Aircraft Corporation in commemoration of his 1935 Worlds Record Flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share #17 Posted March 14, 2016 The entire watch is hand engraved and runs perfectly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share #18 Posted March 14, 2016 presentation letter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share #19 Posted March 14, 2016 Lastly, the sword be was presented when he graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1927. He was survived by his wife and son who were very proud of his service based on other papers in the group. Rest in Peace Commander. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share #20 Posted March 14, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted March 14, 2016 Share #21 Posted March 14, 2016 Historic and outstanding. Rest in peace. W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted March 14, 2016 Share #22 Posted March 14, 2016 Great group. Thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted March 14, 2016 Share #23 Posted March 14, 2016 Remarkable and historic group, Kurt, Thanks for sharing. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BROBS Posted March 14, 2016 Share #24 Posted March 14, 2016 AMAZING. You can really feel it with this group. -Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted March 14, 2016 Share #25 Posted March 14, 2016 Great components there. Thanks for sharing it here with us. JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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